Air Dam; Kmart Style. - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

spydyr · 03-11-2011, 07:30 PM

Ok so its more or less a "Home Depot Air Dam," but I bought it at Kmart and its made of 100% recycled materials(so thats -2 to the oil companies! but i digress).

After 1 day of driving I have come to a small conclusion, I need to block several of the holes in my bumper grill to make this thing show benefit.

* Not my car.

Should i try to funnel the air inside of the grill/bumper grill towards my radiator? Would that make any difference or should i just block the holes 100% and leave the upper grille open?

Exalta-STA · 03-12-2011, 01:48 AM

Based on the pic, the bottom (bumper) grille looks like it has a more direct flow to the radiator than the one on top..correct me if I'm wrong though.

Id block off the fog lamp openings too

yeah you could put in some sort of sheet material to funnel the air towards the radiator. same concept as radiator cooling plates

http://www.aprperformance.com/index....=105&Itemid=52

spydyr · 03-12-2011, 11:33 AM

From what i have seen on visual inspections, the bumper opening has a direct flow to the radiator, and also due to alot of gaps and spacing a very direct flow to the underside of the car which the air dam is supposed to reduce.

Tango Charlie · 03-12-2011, 12:16 PM

Spydyr
I've had pretty good luck with blocking the upper opening and restricting the lower. I have also added coroplast ducting between the opening and the radiator. I would guess you could block off three fourths of that lower opening. Do you have a ScanGauge to watch coolant temps? Don't trust the cars stock gauge; they're notoriously inaccurate.
You can see what I've done in my Vibe thread- see link below.